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Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Looking For Some Cheap Style? Chicago May Have Tons Of Mid-Century Dealers On Craigslist But There's Always Lots Of Private Sellers With Great Bargains Too. Status: Not My Turf.

No, Mr. Modtomic isn't planning a roadtrip to the Second City but I got bored poking around the StL. c-list and decided to challenge myself to find some bargains up north. One of the items I found right away is this lounge chair.

Do you know what it is...well, was...before it was painted? I don't even think the white paint is

that bad. I've never seen one painted so I'm guessing it's not original. It don't look too bad in

That little white chair would be in my sites for picking and refinishing! Definetely looks like a Hvidt. And I would be puttting my hat in the ring for the Brasilia! I just grabbed a small china deck and base the other day and as the deck had some veneer damage I started by just putting the base on the floor after refinishing the top. Gone the first day! Think I'm going to turn the top into a curio with some pencil legs. I'll put up on my blog when complete...

You should be checking out central Il around Mattoon/Charleston. Frequently see pieces and they are selling for nothing. just a 2 hr drive. Bauer auction, you can preview their Tuesday night auction items on line. The furniture sells really cheap, esp mid century styles. just a fyi It has not caught on there yet, just one person sells it Persimmon Lane in Charleston

The Bretoia diamond chairs at the Bauer Auction a few weeks ago went for around $200 each and their condition was mediocre at best. The Heywood wakefield desk went for around 250, but seemed to be in good condition. While it hasn't caught on in Mattoon/Charleston, it is catching on in Champaign w/ stores like the Furniture Lounge. Those Champaign dealers due frequent these auctions and run up prices. Sorry I have to disagree, but I think Modtomic is far from paying over $400+ for mediocre diamond chairs...maybe I'm wrong.

I just opened a new Mid Century Modern store called "Swanky Retro" in Charleston, IL which is about 10 miles from the Bauer auction. I am able to find some pieces at the auction but like a previous poster said there are those who come and really run up the prices. I could not believe how high the Bertoia chairs went for a couple of weeks ago!! As far as selling there it is really hit or miss as to whether it would be beneficial for you it really just depends on who is there buying that night. If I were you I would stick with the Green Shag it sounds like you are doing very well there. If you do decide to sell at Bauer I sure hope that I am at the auction that night you always have TERRIFIC pieces!

Yes, it was me who bought the Jere Birds I just had to have it for my shop it is quite the conversation starter! I will send you a private email soon to formally introduce myself. I have already met Nick I sold him his Bertoia chairs;)

Picked up the Brasilia set this morning - beautiful! An amazing, still-pinching-myself deal. Of course, now I have to get rid of my current set. Thank you Mr. Modtomic for the heads up. I check in daily so keep those great finds coming.

Got the yellow chair. Fortunately, it just has one coat of white paint on it, and it looks like it'll (eventually) be pretty easy to remove with a little (a lot) of elbow grease. The white is actually kinda cute for the short term, so I think I'll leave it as is.

It doesn't have the foil France & Son label, but the supports under the cushions are consistent with other France & Son lounge chairs I've seen. Also, the cushions are both full of wonderfully supportive springs! I thought they'd be really tatty and awful and had planned to have them remade. Instead, though, I'm going to have the dead, brittle foam replaced, steam the bejesus out of the fabric, and enjoy the chair as-is for a while.